Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Notes the Lord:An Ordinary Sabbath With Jesus

Mark 1:22-28

Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars.

Lord Jesus--You teach with authority and time has not changed this. There is power in your Word. The power and the good orderly direction to change continues to come from your word at work in my heart. Help me to listen to your teaching and get it the first time.

You observed Sabbath even through you were there on the first one. Your celebration of Sabbath included meeting with the people who were seeking to hear God speak. Keep me surrounded by people who are seeking you.

[1.23-24] Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!”

It seems ironic that right where the people of God were meeting, Satan was at work in the life of this man. On the Sabbath, in synagogue there was person who was oppressed by Satan. It is in the most un-looked times that you enter and they become deeply spiritual moments. This was just an ordinary Sabbath experience for everyone in Capernaum. For this man oppressed by Satan it was a life changing day.

Lord Jesus--LIfe changing events occur when you are around. Everyday is not ordinary...or maybe better yet, the ordinary becomes extraordinary when you see fit to enter with power. It was not a comfortable experience for any of the participates at synagogue that day. Don't let me look for the comfortable and miss the opportunity for you to work in power.[1.25-26] Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out. [1.27-28] Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. “What’s going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!”

Lord Jesus--The demonic and the divine came face to face that day. The ripples of this encounter were the beginnings of a movement of grace that reaches down through the years to me. You continue to meet people on ordinary days in extraordinary ways with life changing impact.

Lord Jesus--in this coming day move freely in me. It is just an ordinary day that as you walk with me can become extraordinary.